Maharashtra government’s flagship scheme, Majhi Ladki Bahin, is under scrutiny for giving financial assistance to beneficiaries without verifying the received applications.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MP Sanjay Raut, who accused the government of using the scheme to woo voters, claimed that the funds were given without verifying the applications, merely to win votes. On Monday, Raut blamed Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar for the lapses.

Responding to the charges, Ajit Pawar accepted that some ineligible people received the money. However, he refuted the charges of him being responsible for the goof-up. “How am I responsible for this? During elections, there was not enough time for verification. We are currently reviewing documents and removing ineligible individuals from the list,” Pawar clarified.